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Police fond of cameras for city parks

LOWELL -- The Lowell Police Department plans to expand its network of cameras in public parks, bringing the total contingent up to 16, police Administrative Officer Mark Trudel told the City Council.

The cameras are meant to deter illegal activities in parks, a frequent complaint of neighbors, and help the city crack down on illegal dumping. Some will be in fixed locations while others will be deployed as needed to problem spots.

"If somebody knows that there are cameras at these spots they're less likely to do any nefarious activities there," City Manager Kevin Murphy said.

The Police Department is installing software that will allow officers to view video feeds from the cameras remotely in their cruisers. The feeds will also be viewable from police headquarters, the city manager's office, and mobile devices.

"It's a double-edged sword," City Councilor Jim Leary said. "Obviously you're concerned about being watched all the time, but there are sections of parks where this is needed. I think overall it's technology we need to use."

On Tuesday, the City Council also:

* Recognized Fru Nkimbeng and a letter of thanks from the secretary general of the Republic of Souther Cameroons. On May 2, the council passed a resolution supporting the efforts of those working to establish the Republic of Southern Cameroons.

* Requested that the city manager and finance subcommittee create a plan to minimize the impact the tax impact of the new high school project on senior citizens and those on fixed incomes.

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* Requested that the city manager look into developing a 311 smartphone application.

* Requested that the city manager confer with UMass Lowell on the status of the dormitory at Perkins Loft.

* Requested that the Department of Planning and Development create a plan to revitalize the Mammoth Road and University Avenue business corridor and the High Street business corridor.

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